Gel, formerly known as EdgeDB, is an open-source data platform built on top of Postgres that replaces traditional tables with schema-defined types connected through graph-style links, letting developers traverse relationships without writing JOINs. It uses EdgeQL, a query language that combines SQL and GraphQL-style concepts with strict typing, and provides code generation and client libraries for full type safety across the stack. Beyond querying, Gel includes built-in authentication covering OAuth, passkeys, magic links, and email/password, plus integrated AI support with automatic embeddings and RAG endpoints. It can run locally with zero-config setup, be exported to plain Postgres, or run on the managed Gel Cloud service, which is AWS-powered and integrates with GitHub and Vercel; the project has around 14,000 GitHub stars and recently joined Vercel while remaining fully open source.
MySQL is a widely used open-source relational database that powers a huge portion of the web, known for speed, reliability, and broad hosting support. It remains a default for many web applications and CMSes.
Free community edition; paid enterprise editions available.
- Fully open source with an active community (around 14,000 GitHub stars)
- Built-in authentication removes the need for a separate auth service
- Strict typing and code generation reduce runtime data errors
- Free tier available on Gel Cloud for smaller workloads
- Extremely widely supported
- Fast for reads
- Huge community
- Free community edition
- EdgeQL is a new query language, requiring a learning curve versus plain SQL
- Recent rebrand from EdgeDB to Gel may cause confusion when searching for resources
- Smaller ecosystem and community than mainstream Postgres or MySQL
- Fewer advanced features than Postgres
- Licensing nuances (Oracle-owned)
- Some prefer MariaDB fork
What reviewers say
Gel Reviews
No reviews yet.
MySQL Reviews
4.5 (4)Great database
Tried MySQL recently. Extremely widely supported. Minor gripe: fewer advanced features than postgres. Would recommend.
Great database
Been using MySQL for a while. Huge community. No real complaints. Would recommend.
Solid choice
Been using MySQL for a while. Fast for reads. Minor gripe: some prefer mariadb fork. Would recommend.
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataMySQL is the safer default for classic relational workloads with broad support and zero cost; Gel adds graph‑relational features, built‑in auth and AI but requires learning EdgeQL and has a smaller ecosystem.
Key differences
- •Query language: MySQL uses standard SQL, Gel uses the newer EdgeQL with a learning curve.
- •Data model: MySQL is purely relational, Gel adds schema‑defined graph types on top of Postgres.
- •Built‑in services: Gel includes authentication and AI tooling; MySQL provides none out of the box.
- •Ecosystem size: MySQL has a massive, mature ecosystem; Gel’s community and third‑party integrations are much smaller.
Pricing & value
MySQL offers a free community edition; Gel’s free tier is limited and larger workloads require paid Gel Cloud.
Ease of use / learning curve
MySQL uses ubiquitous SQL; Gel requires learning EdgeQL, a new strictly‑typed language.
Features & depth
Gel provides built‑in auth, AI embeddings, and graph traversal beyond MySQL’s core relational features.
Integrations & ecosystem
MySQL is supported by virtually all hosting platforms and tooling; Gel’s integrations are limited to a few (GitHub, Vercel, Postgres export).
Support
Gel offers community Discord plus paid email/priority support; MySQL only lists community support in the facts.
Scalability
MySQL mentions replication and clustering for large scale; Gel’s scalability details are not specified.
Security & privacy
Gel includes built‑in authentication (OAuth, passkeys, magic links); MySQL provides no auth layer out of the box.
Choose Gel if…
Developers wanting a typed graph‑relational DB with built‑in auth/AI and are comfortable learning EdgeQL.
Choose MySQL if…
Teams needing a proven, widely supported relational DB with no licensing cost.
Common questions
Is there any cost to start using either product?
MySQL’s community edition is free; Gel offers a freemium tier but larger workloads require paid Gel Cloud.
Can I use existing SQL skills with Gel?
No; Gel requires learning EdgeQL, which differs from standard SQL.
Do both databases support exporting to plain Postgres?
Only Gel mentions an export to plain Postgres; MySQL does not provide this capability.